Richard Pendergraft hopes his idea of an all-county high school reunion catches on for longer than this year.
He wrote to the Hendersonian that “with most class reunions’ attendance getting smaller,” many would like to attend a yearly reunion that welcomes classes from all years.
Pendergraft is giving it a shot.
His will be the first all-county class reunion, which means that anyone who has graduated from a county high school—Henderson County, Henderson City, Douglass and Holy Name high schools—are welcome to attend. Pendergraft said that graduates from schools that were in existence before the county merger are also welcome, although the youngest would probably be in their nineties.
The event will be Dec. 7 in the Holy Name School cafeteria. Dinner will be served by the Holy Name Men’s Club from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
From 7-11 p.m., Terry Lee Ridley and the Million Dollar Band will perform. The band plays hits from the early rock n’ roll era. Terry Lee focuses on the music of Jerry Lee Lewis, and according to Pendergraft (who has hired him to play at his county high class reunions), he has the whole act, including playing the piano with his feet.
He said he’s in the past hired the band to play at his high school reunions and last summer’s Downtown Porch Fest. Terry Lee ultimately didn’t come to the event because of early rain, but Pendergraft asked him if he and the band could play another date.
The band was agreeable. Then Pendergraft contacted Holy Name about Saturday openings, of which he said they had one.
Though the Dec. 7 event involves a musical guest, he said future all-county reunion attendees may want to gather just to mingle and see each other again.
He said he hopes that he can get at least 200 people to come, saying that 150 would be the break even point. So far, 35 people have signed up, he said.
Pendergraft said he hopes the event harkens back to the days when there were four high schools, and students from the different schools would meet up at a hot spot in town on the weekends.
“I’m just wanting people to come and have a good time,” he said.
To get a ticket for the evening, Pendergraft said the first step is to call him at 270-860-7780. A registrant will then need to send a check to P.O. Box 1711, Henderson, KY 42419. Once that is received, Pendergraft will send back tickets and a brochure containing information about the event.
